Venerable Anthusa the Abbess — July 27 / August 9 (Julian Calendar)

On this day, July 27 according to the Julian Calendar (August 9 civil calendar), the Georgian Orthodox Church commemorates Venerable Anthusa the Abbess.

Venerable Anthusa lived in the eighth century in Mantinea of Paphlagonia, in Asia Minor. From an early age she withdrew from the vanity of this world and labored ascetically in the mountains, in complete solitude. Later the holy hieromonk Sisinius tonsured her a nun and appointed her superior of one of the women’s monasteries.

In the days of the emperor Constantine Copronymus (741–775), Venerable Anthusa was seized and ordered to renounce the veneration of the holy icons. The blessed mother refused to obey the command, and for this terrible torments were brought down upon her. The holy confessor prophesied to the emperor’s wife, who was present at her torture, that she would give birth to a son and a daughter. When the prophecy was fulfilled, the blessed mother was set free.

She returned to her monastery, where she labored in godliness until deep old age. The daughter born to the emperor’s wife was named Anthusa in her honor. Having completed her earthly life in a manner pleasing to God, the blessed mother joined the choir of the saints.